Brownwich Cliff fossils and fossil collecting
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 Due to restrictions on access via Brownwich Farm (private road), and at Chilling (road now closed by a gate), the only real access is from the main car park West of Stubbington, near Hill Head.
From the M27, exit at Junction 9, then head towards Farnham. Keep on the A27 until you reach Titchfield, then take the B3334 towards Stubbington.
From here make your way down to the coastal roads, and follow to the West, until you reach the car park with toilets just past the bird reserve (Titchfield Haven), and just past the lighthouse. You can also access via the narrow road from Meon.
From the car park, walk West, the first cliff Brownwich Cliff, and the second cliff, Chilling Cliff.
GRID REF: SU 53000 02435
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Fossiliferious separian nodules of Bracklesham age are washed onto the shore from off shore Deposits. Both Brownwich Cliff and Chilling Cliff can occasionally yield fossil molluscs but the best deposits are those from below beach level and are full of brachiopods, and other molluscs. Pleistocene remains can be found washed from the gravel beds. |
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Medium
Fossils are only really found in the very hard septarian nodules along the foreshore. There are only often just a few of these and so collecting can be limited. But once you do find a nodule, they are full of fossil molluscs. However, bones of mammals from the brickearth can also be found washed out along the foreshore.
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Suitable for Children
This location is suitable for children, with toilets onsite, and a suitable, although stony beach. It can be along walk to Chilling Cliff for young children, so we suggest that with young children, just visit Brownwich Cliff. |
Fair Access
Once at the car park, it is far walk but easy to find, the problem is getting to the car park. Being part of the Southampton/Fareham district, this is a very busy area which is easy to get lost. A OS 1:50,000 map will come in very handy.
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Foreshore
Fossils are found on the foreshore in large nodules washed onshore. Pleistocene bones can also be found washed from the gravel beds, especially at Chilling Cliff. |
No Restrictions
There are no restrictions at this site, hammering and collecting is permitted. However we ask that you follow our fossil code of conduct which can be found in the link below.
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Although at high tide, the water rarely reaches the base of the cliff, during winter months and times of higher water, it is possible to get cut off. Falling debris, cliff falls and slips do occur, so keep away from the base of the cliff. |
Brownwich Cliff
Tide Times
UK Tidal data is owned by Crown Copyright, and therefore sadly we are not allowed to display tide times without paying expensive annual contracts. However we sell them via our store, including FREE POSTAGE
Click here to buy a tide table |
| Last updated: |
2011 |
| last visited: |
2011 |
| Written by: |
Alister and Alison Cruickshanks |
Locations similar to Brownwich Cliff
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You will need a good heavy hammer to split the nodules, and paper to wrap these, the outer shell of the molluscs can come away easily, so take some preserving liquid such as PVA onsite, or take larger lumps home for splitting. |
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The Brickearth has revealed the bones of various mammals, although none of these have ever been recorded in an official study for this area, unlike other locations in Hampshire with similar Brickearth deposits. This layer is found at the top of the cliff, and after tides can wash any bones along the foreshore. These are however, fairly rare.
The Pleistocene gravels are mainly unfossiliferious, apart from the odd mollusc mould. The fossiliferious beds are actually sub-geology beneath beach level. For this reason, you are unlikely to find anything in the cliff, instead search the foreshore for nodules.
The large brown, septarian nodules can be seen from some distance and can be found along the foreshore at either cliff. These look like nodules containing poorly preserved mollusc moulds, but if you break these open you will find brachiopods, gastropods and bivalves in excellent condition. The nodules can be a little hard to break though, so a heavy hammer is recommended.
Geology at Brownwich Cliff
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Eocene, 36mya |
At the very top of these low cliffs (about 7m high), is Brickearth, a brown silt deposit with clay minerals suggesting it originated from nearby Chalk outcrops. Below this at Brownwich Cliff, some good sections of Pleistocene river gravels can be seen. These gravels overlie Middle Eocene, Bracklesham Group of the Selsey Formation. The Bracklesham beds consist of marine sandy clays with glauconite weathered to brown at the surface. Large septarian nodules which are highly fossiliferous, are found washed onshore from the fossiliferous Bracklesham strata in the subsurface ...[more]
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Metal Polishing |
Meteorites |
Microscopy |
Metal Barrelling Machines are used for de burring, polishing, cleaning or removing surface scratches from metal and jewellery.
These are ideal for cleaning or polishing a variety of metals including brass, silver, steel and gold. They can be used for silver clay and other hobbies.
The machines have a barrel with special fins inside, which helps turn the metal round, to polish or debur. We sell a variety of different sized machines from hobby to commercial. |
Meteorites can be found all over the world. Often, large pieces are broken down either naturally or by hand, or sliced and sold as small fragments, each fall is well documented. Meteorites are very collectable, especially ones of Mars or Moon rocks.
We sell Meteorites, which are in stock and mostly come in a display boxs. Our meteorites are from all over the world and include Mars and Moon Meteorites, and rocks from outer space. For more information, please see our meteorite page.
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At most locations, you can find microfossils. You only need a small sample of the sand. You then need to wash it in water and sieve using a test sieve. Once the sand is processed, you can then view the contents using a microscope.
We have a wide range of microscopes for sale, you will need a Stereomicroscope for viewing microfossils. The best one we sell is the IMXZ, but a basic microscope will be fine. Once you have found microfossils, you will need to store these microfossils. |
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